MILFORD (April 10, 2013) – An investigation that began in January culminated in DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents citing a Milford man for illegally offering mounted deer heads, turkeys and a bear for sale online.
On April 4, John J. Ament Jr., 57, of Milford, was charged with two counts of offering for sale antlered deer, one count of commercialization of wildlife and one count international wildlife trafficking violation* for offering for sale a mounted bear, a violation under an international wildlife treaty to which Delaware adheres.
The mounted wildlife items were seized as evidence. Ament, who has the option to pay the citation or opt for a trial, could face more than $2,600 in fines and court costs for the alleged violations.
Under the Delaware Code, it is unlawful for any person to collect, possess, import, export, buy, sell or offer for sale any native wildlife species or any part thereof without a permit from the director of the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, or, alternately, written documentation to confirm that said wildlife was legally taken and transported from another state.
In a second, unrelated case, following an investigation into illegal taxidermy, Thomas G. Baker, 57, of Felton, was arrested on March 27 and charged with eight counts of illegal possession of untagged migratory waterfowl, one count of working without a federal migratory bird taxidermy permit, and one count of illegal possession of a wild bird for mounting purposes. Baker was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown with a court date pending.
“In Delaware, in order to provide services, a taxidermist must have a valid business license, and also must adhere to state and federal wildlife laws and regulations as applicable, including observing permit, tag and species restrictions,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.
* The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to which more than 170 countries worldwide adhere voluntarily, with the aim of ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Although participation in CITES is legally binding, it does not take the place of national laws. Rather, it provides a framework to be respected by each country, which must then adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Section works to achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety. Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580.
Contact: Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-739-9913 or 302-542-6102, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
Vol. 43, No. 140
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